Lead Space Systems Engineer

MITRE; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 146,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site work required

Job summary

MITRE’s Army Program Division seeks a Lead Space Systems Engineer with hardware/software integration, RF systems, and Army Space Operations to design, test, and field advanced EW/SIGINT systems for Warfighter missions.

You will support rapid prototyping, embedded compute, RF signal paths, mission software, and tactical UIs across teams, with strong collaboration across government and industry and a strict on-site requirement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer/Systems Engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience integrating and testing complex systems with SDRs/RF, embedded compute, networking, and mission software.
• Proficiency in Python, C/C++, and modern software tooling.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational support to Army Space and Multi‑Domain Operations concept development.
• Participate in field exercises, demos, sponsor engagements; capture results and drive technical closure.
• Coordinate across government and contractor teams supporting multiple Programs of Record and Quick Reaction Capability.
• Provide mission-relevant technical expertise to Army and Joint Wargame events to inform programming.
• Lead system-level integration, verification, and validation of SDR-based EW/SIGINT systems.
• Define and manage system architecture, interfaces, and data flows across compute, RF, storage, and networking.
• Collaborate with software developers, RF engineers, systems integrators, and government stakeholders to deliver end-to-end capability on timelines.
• Develop and maintain test plans, ICDs, verification procedures, and acceptance criteria for multi-component prototypes.
• Perform root-cause analysis and troubleshooting across HW, firmware, software, RF, and network layers; implement corrective actions.
• Produce technical recommendations and after-action reports translating feedback into requirements and backlog.

Skills

Python

C/C++

React.js/Vue.js/JavaScript

Linux

REST APIs

Docker

Git/GitLab

CI/CD/DevSecOps

Agile

RF systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field

M.S. in Engineering or related field (preferred)

Tools

Docker

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

The Army Multi-Domain ISR Operations and Systems (N212) department, part of MITRE’s Army Program Division within MITRE National Security, is dedicated to advancing the Army’s capabilities in intelligence collection, processing, and actionable decision‑making. The department specializes in supporting the Army’s efforts to design, deliver, and sustain cutting‑edge technologies that enhance multi‑domain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Key focus areas include Electronic Warfare, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), intelligence targeting systems, ISR sensors, assured Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), electromagnetic situational awareness, and non‑kinetic effects to enable operational freedom and achieve overmatch.

N212 works closely with Army Acquisition organizations, including the Capability Program Executive Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors (CPE IEW&S), as well as intelligence entities such as Army G-2 and INSCOM, the Space and Missile Defense Command, and science and technology research organizations such as DEVCOM C5ISR and the Army Research Laboratory. N212 is driven by a strong operational focus and deep technical expertise across a wide range of disciplines, ensuring its contributions align with Army’s mission to empower Warfighters and decision‑makers with superior intelligence capabilities.

Roles & Responsibilities:

MITRE’s Army Program Division is seeking a Lead Space Systems Engineer with experience in hardware/software integration, RF systems (including software‑defined radios (SDRs)), and Army Space Operations to lead the conceptual design, development, test, operational integration, and fielding of advanced electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems to support Warfighter missions. This role supports urgent, mission‑driven Army efforts requiring rapid prototyping, hands‑on integration, and disciplined systems engineering to deploy capabilities worldwide.

The selected candidate will support MITRE Army Division activities shaping future technical capabilities for Multi‑Domain Operations that inform Army Futures and Concepts Command (FCC) Project Convergence and Future Studies Programs along with the Center for Army Analysis Wargame Series. The selected candidate will additionally work across teams to develop embedded compute, RF signal paths, mission software, and tactical user interfaces to deliver cohesive, fieldable solutions. The role requires strong technical depth, operational and doctrinal awareness, a systems mindset, and the ability to collaborate across government and industry teams.

• Provide technical and operational support to Army Space and Multi‑Domain Operations related Concept and Doctrinal development activities.
• Participate in field exercises, demonstrations, and sponsor engagements; capture results and drive technical closure of issues.
• Coordinate across government and contractor teams supporting multiple Programs of Record (PoRs) and Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) efforts to identify integration opportunities, overlaps, and transition paths.
• Provide mission relevant technical expertise to Army and Joint Senior Level Wargame and Analysis events to inform programming activities.
• Lead system‑level integration, verification, and validation of SDR‑based EW/SIGINT mission systems.
• Define and manage system architecture, interfaces, and data flows across compute platforms, RF front ends, storage, and networking.
• Collaborate with software developers, RF engineers, systems integrators, and government stakeholders to deliver end‑to‑end capability on aggressive timelines.
• Develop and maintain test plans, interface control documents (ICDs), verification procedures, and acceptance criteria for multi‑component prototypes.
• Perform root‑cause analysis and troubleshooting across hardware, firmware, software, RF, and network layers; implement and verify corrective actions.
• Produce technical recommendations and after‑action reports; translate operational feedback into requirements, design updates, and backlog priorities.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years with a Master’s degree; or 3 years with a PhD; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Hands‑on experience integrating and testing complex systems involving SDRs/RF components, embedded compute, networking, and mission software.
• Proficiency in one or more of: Python, C/C++, React.js Vue.js, Java (additional languages a plus).
• Experience with modern software practices and tooling (e.g., Git/GitLab, containerization such as Docker, CI/CD/DevSecOps, Agile).
• Experience building or integrating APIs/services (e.g., REST) and working with Linux‑based environments.
• Must have an active Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on‑site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Computer), Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field with demonstrated experience in software development or hardware/software integration.
• Active Top Secret clearance with ability to obtain and maintain SCI.
• Strong grasp of systems engineering practices including requirements decomposition/traceability, test planning, and interface definition.
• Demonstrated expertise troubleshooting across hardware/firmware/software/network/RF layers.
• Experience with observability/logging platforms (e.g., ELK/Kibana) and field support for prototypes.
• Experience with Army and Joint Wargame and concept development activities.
• Active certifications including but not limited to: CISSP, CompTIA Linux+, CompTIA Project+.
• Completion of the Army Space Control Planner Course, like Joint training program, or Academic courses focused on orbital RF systems.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$146,400 - $183,000 - $219,600 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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